I was not expecting a five-volcano-view day on Mt. Ellinor Saturday, but that's exactly what greeted early birds this day.
I'm thrilled that this trail is open again, even as the damage from Party Rock fireworks continues to be felt throughout the greater Staircase area. A minor silver lining is that our heroic firefighters used the road to Ellinor as a firebreak, so it's in incredible shape. There continues to be one rough spot on the final spur road, about a half mile from the upper trailhead. Look for orange cones/tape and proceed cautiously through this short rough patch.
The trail is also in amazing condition. I believe the trail was treated as a potential firebreak, so it has been brushed out, and the underlying Mount Rose Crew work shines, as usual, with the well-built rock and wood stairs.
It may be quite some time before the rest of this area is available to hikers again, but thank goodness Ellinor and Washington were spared and are back in business.
Comments
robgirl on Mount Ellinor
Beautiful pictures! Do you know if Upper Big Creek is open?
Posted by:
robgirl on Oct 20, 2025 08:15 PM
Sabbaru on Mount Ellinor
Thanks! Yes, it should be open. If you look at the latest “Reduced Closure Area” here (and compare it to the original closure list also at that link), you’ll see that they took Upper Big Creek Loop off the list: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waolf-bear-gulch-fire
Posted by:
Sabbaru on Oct 21, 2025 06:14 AM
rkjenner on Mount Ellinor
Your report is a breath of fresh air. Thanks!
Posted by:
rkjenner on Oct 21, 2025 04:13 PM
Kozior Goralski on Mount Ellinor
Someone did the whole Big Elinor run car to car the other day on AllTrails, so looks to be open.
Posted by:
Kozior Goralski on Oct 21, 2025 05:31 PM